IDEAS & TRENDS; When Criminal Charges Reach the White House

By BILL MARSH

Published: October 30, 2005

THE C.I.A. leak case could bedevil the Bush administration for months. So far, however, it has not nearly approached the scale of an earlier White House scandal, Iran-contra, and its 11 convictions. The sweep of the Watergate scandal is in a class by
itself. Since then, special prosecutors have taken aim at people tied to government's highest offices more than 20 times. Some inquiries, months or years long and costing millions, have found nothing to prosecute.
Ronald Reagan's labor secretary, Raymond J. Donovan, was investigated for allegations of mob ties; Reagan's attorney general, Edwin Meese III, was accused of financial improprieties. Neither was indicted.
After six years, prosecutors could not prove that Bill and Hillary Clinton's Whitewater real estate venture involved any criminal behavior or attempt to conceal evidence.

justice. John D. Ehrlichman testifies and H. R. Haldeman faces the press, far right. (Photo by Neil Selkirk/Time Life Pictures -- Getty Images); (Photographs by Associated Press); Above: Former Attorney General John N. Mitchell, on trial for criminal
conspiracy, reads about more Watergate indictments on March 7, 1973. (Photo by Ray Stubblebine/Associated Press); (Photo by Jose R. Lopez/The New York Times)

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Iran-Contra
The Reagan administration sold arms to Iran in secret, using proceeds to finance Nicaraguan rebels; 14 were charged and 11 convicted of crimes like fraud and obstruction, including John M. Poindexter, above.
Only Thomas G. Clines was imprisoned. Shortly before leaving office, President George H. W. Bush pardoned six of those involved.

Watergate
A bungled 1972 burglary at the Democratic National Committee's office in the Watergate complex exposed a White House apparatus of dirty tricks, law-breaking and cover-up. Two years later, President Richard
M. Nixon, facing impeachment, resigned. President Gerald R. Ford pardoned him of any wrongdoing a month later. A total of 69 people were charged with crimes; 48 people and 20 corporations pleaded guilty.